Seen Passage 2 SSC

Exercise- 1

Zainul Abedin

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

The pioneer of Bangladeshi modern art Zainul Abedin is widely acclaimed for his Bengal 'Famine Sketches'. Through a series of sketches. Zainul not only documented the harsh famine of 1940 but also showed its sinister face through the skeletal figures of the people destined to die of starvation in a man-made plight. Zainul developed a knack for drawing and painting when he was a high school student. After completing high school, he got admission to the Government School of Art, Kolkata. He graduated with the first position in first class in 1938. He was appointed teacher of the Art School while he was still a student there. He also attended the Slade School of Arts, London in 1951-52. Zainul Abedin is considered the founding father of Bangladeshi art. He was an artist of outstanding talent and earned international reputation. For his artistic and visionary qualities, he referred to as Shilpacharya meaning 'great teacher' of art in Bangladesh.

He designed the pages of the Constitution of Bangladesh. He founded the Folk Art Museum at Sonargaon and also Zainul Abedin Shangrahasala, a gallery of his own works in Mymensingh in 1975.

Zainul Abedin had (a) _____ potentiality to become an artist. He is the pioneer of Bangladeshi art. He loved nature and art from his (b) _____. He showed his artistic and visionary qualities in his student life. Graduating (c) _____ credit, he served as a teacher for many years. He showed his talent in different sketches. In his different sketches, (d) _____ sketches were acclaimed both nationally and internationally. He is also famous for designing the pages of constitution and (e) _____ the Folk Art Museum.

Answer: (a) a/the (b) boyhood (c) with (d) some/many (e) establishing/founding

Exercise- 3

Human can neither

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

Humans can neither change the Sun's radiation nor the earth's orbit around the sun. But they can control the increase in the amount of greenhouse gases and its effect on the atmosphere. Only during the last hundred years the carbon dioxide concentration has been raised alarmingly in the atmosphere and we humans can be held responsible for this. The main cause of the increase in carbon dioxide level in the atmosphere is the burning of fossil fuels. Since the end of the 19th century, industrial activities increased rapidly giving rise to factories. These factories required energy which was produced through the combustion of coal. Besides coal, other sources of energy such as mineral oil and natural gas were also burned to heat our houses, run cars and airplanes or to produce electricity. Nowadays about 85 million barrels of crude oil are burned daily. Every time a fossil raw material is burned, it releases carbon dioxide into the air.

Question Set- 1

It is true that most of the natural phenomena are beyond humans’ control, yet he can (a) _____ some aspects like the greenhouse effect by his wise activities. Carbon dioxide is the main (b) _____ of it. Carbon dioxide is being (c) _____ in the atmosphere by the burning of fossil fuels. In fact, industrial activities have given rise to many factories where coal is (d) _____ for energy. Moreover, mineral oil and natural gas are also used for various (e) _____ .

Answer: (a) control (b) cause (c) concentrated/ accumulated (d) required (e) activities 

Question Set- 2

So, it is our duty to stop cutting down trees indiscriminately. We should also inspire the general mass to plant more and more trees for our existence on earth. There are several reasons why the carbon dioxide concentration has been (a) _____ in our atmosphere. Our mills and factories burn coal, mineral oil, natural gas etc. with a view to (b) _____ energy. We also burn these materials to (c) _____ our everyday needs. But for our own safety, we have to encourage (d) _____. Otherwise, our existence on earth will be at (e) _____.

Answer: (a) rising/ increasing (b) producing/ generating (c) meet (d) afforestation (e) risk

Exercise- 5

Mother Teresa

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

Mother Teresa was moved by the sight of the sick and dying on the streets of Kolkata. She founded the home for the dying destitute and named it 'Nirmal Hriday', meaning 'Pure Heart'. She and her fellow nuns brought the dying people off the streets of Kolkata to this home.

They were lovingly looked after and cared for. Since then many men, women and children have been taken from the streets and carried to Nirmal Hriday. These unloved and uncared for people get an opportunity to die in an environment of kindness and love. In their last hours, they get human and divine love, and can feel they are also children of God. Those who survive, the Missionaries of Charity try to find jobs for them or send them to homes where they can live happily for some more years in a caring environment. Regarding commitment to family, Mother Teresa said, "Maybe in our own family, we have somebody, who is feeling lonely, who is feeling sick, who is feeling worried. Are we there? Are we willing to give until it hurts in order to be with our families, or do we put our interest first? We must remember that love begins at home and we must also remember that future of humanity passes through the family". Mother Teresa's work has been recognized throughout the world and she has received a number of awards. These include the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize (1971), the Nehru Prize for Promotion of International Peace & Understanding (1972), the Balzan Prize (1978), the Nobel Peace Prize (1979) and the Bharat Ratna (1980). Mother Teresa died at the age of 87, on 5 September 1997. The world salutes her for her love and compassion for humanity. She has taught us how to extend our hand towards those who need our love and support irrespective of creed, caste and religion. The picture of Mother Teresa, draped in a white and blue bordered sari, with a wrinkled face, ever soft eyes and a saintly smile, lives on in our mind.

Mother Teresa is still alive in our (a) _____ though expired almost 16 years back. She spent her entire life for the (b) _____ of the poor people. She has taught us that helping the needy is the greatest work that a man can do. She lived a very poor life (c) _____ the poorest (d) _____ all pleasure and comfort. She loved all people irrespective of caste, creed and religion. That’s why she has become (e) _____ to all people of the world.

Answer: (a) heart (b) welfare/ betterment/ comfort (c) among (d) leaving (e) idol/ beloved/ icon 

Exercise- 7

Pritilata

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

Pritilata Waddedar was born in Chattogram on 5 May 1911. She was a meritorious student at Dr Khastagir Government Girls' School in Chattogram and Eden College, Dhaka. She graduated in philosophy with distinction from Bethune College in Kolkata. In her college days, Pritilata was an activist in the anti-British movement. All through her life, she dreamt of two things: a society without gender discrimination, and her motherland free from British colonial rule.

So she decided to fight against the British rule. Soon after, Pritilata became the head teacher of Nandankanon Aparna Charan School in Chattogram. Gradually she involved herself in Surja Sen's armed resistance movement. Surja Sen was a famous anti-British movement organizer and revolutionary activist in Chattogram area at that time. In 1932, Surja Sen planned an attack on the Pahartali European Club. The club was well-known for its notorious sign at its entrance: Dogs and Indians not allowed. Surja Sen assigned Pritilata to lead a team of 10-12 men to attack the Club. The raid was successful but Pritilata, dressed as a man, failed to get out of the Club. She committed suicide by taking potassium cyanide to avoid arrest. She proved that women can work like men. She also proved that women too needed to be prepared to sacrifice their lives for freedom from the British colonial rule. Her dream finally came true. The British rule came to an end in 1947 though she couldn't see it during her lifetime.

Question Set-1

Pritilata was a very courageous lady during her lifetime. She was (a) _____ by Surja Sen to attack the European club. The raid was (b) _____ but Pritilata committed suicide. She (c) _____ potassium cyanide to avoid arrest. From this event, we can understand that Pritilata was a patriot (d) _____ fought for the freedom of her country. We should (e) ____ Pritilata with love and honor.

Answer: (a) assigned (b) successful (c) took (d) who (e) remember

Question Set-2

Pritilata was a famous face in the history of anti-British movement. She was a brilliant student and completed her (a) _____ in Philosophy from Bethune College in Kolkata. During her college days, she (b) _____ part in the anti-British movement. She had two dreams: one was a society (c) _____ from gender discrimination and the other was her motherland without British colonial rule. A few days later, Pritilata engaged herself in Surja Sen’s armed resistance movement. In 1932,She (d) _____ the Pahartali European Club in the guise of a man. The attack was successful, but she committed suicide (e) ____ escape arrest.

Answer: (a) graduation (b) took (c) free (d) attacked (e) to

Exercise- 9

Loneliness

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

There are various demographic factors that may contribute to loneliness. Although Dr. Vasan notes that anyone can feel lonely at any time in their life, a few groups that stand out as having an increased risk of loneliness include "young adults, mothers with young children and the elderly." Immigrants are also at higher risk for loneliness, continues Dr. Vasan.

You may experience loneliness for a variety of reasons, but it can often stem from a major life change. A 2020 study by the University of Edinburgh suggests that the causes of loneliness differ depending on the age of the individual. For example, older adults experience loneliness more frequently as a result of living alone, while middle-aged individuals aren't as likely to report living alone as a cause of their loneliness.

This discrepancy between what causes loneliness in older adults versus those who are middle-aged could be due to the fact that older adults have retired and no longer have the community and daily interactions of work life, explains Nikki Press, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist in New York City. Older individuals are more likely to have lost friends and family members, and they are more likely to experience medical or physical limitations that restrict their opportunities for activities and socializing, continues Dr. Press.

Other common causes of loneliness include:

·        The death of a close friend or family member

·        Physical isolation, such as living alone or moving away from family and friends

·        Illness or disability

·        Retirement

·        Working alone

Loneliness can (a) _____ anyone, but some groups are more at risk. These include young adults, mothers with (b) _____ children, the elderly and (c) _____ . Loneliness often comes after a (d) _____ life change. Older adults may feel lonely because they (e) ____ alone.

Answer: (a) affect (b) young (c) immigrants (d) major (e) live

Exercise- 11

Childhood Pastimes

3. Read the following text and fill in each gap with a suitable word based on the information of the text.

Traditional childhood pastimes of climbing trees and playing conkers are in decline, according to a survey by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds). It's a charitable organization registered in England and Wales.

The survey shows that people under 34 recall far fewer such childhood outdoor experiences than people over 55, according to a survey by RSPB.

People were asked which of the twelve childhood outdoor experiences they could remember. The answer included making dens, daisy chains, climbing trees, playing conkers and feeding birds. Four out of five boy climbed trees and the same number of girls made daisy chains. But the survey showed the numbers declining among the newer generations. Some 15% more of those aged over 55 had these outdoor experiences in their childhood, compared with those between 15-34 years old. Some 92% of the public agreed that experiences of nature were still important to children, and 82% agreed that schools should play a role in providing them to all children.

The survey has highlighted the positive impact of contact with nature on a child's education, health, wellbeing and social skills. At the same time, there has been a decline in these opportunities, with negative consequences for children, families and society - a condition now known as nature deficit disorder.

Mike Clarke, chief executive of the RSPB, will meet parliament members to urge the government to join other organizations in providing children with first-hand experiences of the natural environment.... "We believe this guidance should include the many positive impacts to children of having contact with nature and learning outside the classroom."

A recent survey reported a (a) _____ in certain childhood activities such as outdoor play. It found that (b) _____ adults remembered fewer outdoor experiences than older ones. This (c) _____ was especially noticeable between those under 34 and those over 55. The study suggests that (d) _____ pastimes are becoming less common in younger generations. Many people still believe that (e) ____ experience are important for children.

Answer: (a) decline (b) younger (c) difference (d) traditional (e) outdoor